Loving a Prodigal

by | Jan 30, 2017 | what you can do | 5 comments

Welcome today’s guest blogger, my dear friend and mom of a former prodigal, Judy Douglass. She writes from years of experience, a heart of compassion and much wisdom.

“Does everything seem out of control?

Sometimes life, or family situations, or financial needs seem overwhelming. We feel out of control. We can’t help or stop or change things. We can’t control them.

It is good when we recognize this, for then we will hopefully turn to El Elyon, the Most High God.

The literal meaning is “God is the high one.” Synonyms would be sovereign and ruler. In other words, He is in control.

This name of God appears throughout the Old Testament, but most often in the book of Daniel. Here we read the story of Nebuchadnezzar, the mighty ruler of the Babylonian empire.

Though he acknowledged the power of Daniel’s God, he still believed he was in control. Thus God’s word to him: “You will be driven away from people and will live with wild animals…Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men…”

And that is what happened. After seven years of living as an animal, the King looked to heaven and was restored. He said, “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just…”

Where is your life out of control?

A child on drugs? Lost a job? A pregnant daughter? In foreclosure? A son in jail? A cancer diagnosis? Or just myriad small details adding up to one big mess?

Then it is time to acknowledge, in reality, life is out of control. And to turn to this Most High God who is, in reality, in control. No surprises, no indifference, no “oops” for Him. He knows. He cares. He is able.

His name is a promise. You can depend on Him to be in control.

This powerful God has invited you to bring all the confusion and pain and lostness to Him. He says, “Come. Let’s talk.”

Here are some possible things to talk with Him about:

  1. Help me to believe that You are in control and You can bring good from this chaos and confusion.
  2. I am angry at you, God. Why don’t you do something about ____________?
  3. I need wisdom to make wise decisions toward some possible solutions.
  1. I am filled with fear and I could really use some peace.
  2. I feel like giving up.

Add some more of your own:

1.

2.

 

Thank You, Lord, El Elyon, to you higher than all, that you do know and you truly care and you are absolutely in control.

As we keep loving,

Judy

What about you? What do you need to hand over to God’s control?

 

c2016 Judy Douglass: office of the president of CRU, founder of Prayer for Prodigals and Worldwide Day of Prayer for Prodigals, author of Letters to My Children: Secrets of Success.  Follow Judy @ judydouglass.com posted 10/03/16

5 Comments

  1. Teresa

    Such needed words of comfort, El Elyon – He is in control!

    • Tom and Dena Yohe

      He sure is! I hope that reality comforts you.

  2. Rachel

    Some days I am better at letting go and letting God than others. But, I am learning through this journey of addiction of my daughter more and more how little control I have. thank you for the reminder that there is no “oops” for Him!

    • Tom and Dena Yohe

      Yes, Rachel, some days are definitely better than others when it comes to letting go and recognizing our limits. Thank God for his constant, loving reminders. We all need them! May He fill you with abundant grace that is sufficient for today’s needs.

  3. Lisa

    I found your website after reading You Are Not Alone by Dena Yohe.Our world has been turned upside down after recently learning that our 22 year old daughter was in a same sex relationship with a former student at the Christian College she attends. To make matters worse this girl Was a recovered heroin addict until she relapsed recently and was expelled from the school and sent to rehab.Our daughter has been brainwashed by an underground movement on campus and some staff members that this is acceptable as a Christian!We thought about pulling her out of school but she is a senior and will graduate in May and this girl will be in rehab until June.She knows that we will never accept this.Please pray that somehow God will open her eyes and that this girl will be blocked from re-entering her life.We feel desperate and alone in this.